Flolape

Alseuosmia quercifolia

Alseuosmia quercifolia A.Cunn.
Alseuosmia quercifolia
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-4.0)

Alseuosmia quercifolia is a shrub in the Alseuosmiaceae family, endemic to the North Island of New Zealand, particularly the Waikato region. It grows up to 2.5 m tall and is characterized by glossy green leaves and fragrant pink spring flowers that develop into red berries in autumn.

Description

Alseuosmia quercifolia, known as oak-leaved toropapa, toropapa, or karapapa in Māori, is a shrub species native to the upper North Island of New Zealand. It typically reaches a height of 2.5 m and features variably shaped, glossy green leaves. The plant produces fragrant pink flowers in spring, which later turn into red berries in autumn. It is restricted to the Waikato region and is not found outside this area. The species was first described in 1839 by A.Cunn.

Distribution

New Zealand North

Synonyms

Alseuosmia bupleurifoliaAlseuosmia ilex

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